Wolf's Bite

Wolf Attack at Wolf's Hollow

"I need time off Morgan," demanded Celine Mayor as she stormed into her bosses office at Genisis Designs.

Morgan Genisis barely even looked up from her computer at the intrusion to her inner sanctum. The prim and proper owner of the company barely looked out of place despite all the running around and talking she did.

"I already told you Celine, I can't approve the time off you requested," Morgan stated, briefly glancing up.

"Why not?" demanded Celine, "Others have been allowed time off between projects why not me?"

"Others, didn't book a whole week off. One or two extra days off yes but not a whole week," Morgan replied, leaning back in her chair to finally look at Celine.

"Seriously? I worked my ass off for the last five months when you handed me Glover and Spencer's project. I got little to no sleep because they were so tough to please," stated Celine, "All I ask is for one week off to recouperate and get back my mojo."

"Celine, I have two clients who want us to brand their new line of cosmetics in three weeks. A new client who wants their brand to have a whole new makeover. I can't spare you that time when I have all this work ahead of us," said Morgan.

Celine wanted to scream in frustration. Since starting at Genisis Designs she had worked her butt off without asking for extra time to herself so that she could be a great designer. One of Genisis's best designers. Now, when she wanted time off she wasn't allowed even one fricking week?

Fury was a smoldering hot lava in her belly. She was at the end of her rope both mentally and artistically. The past five months had been hell on her. Working for a company that clearly had no clue what they wanted. Zigging and Zagging in their decisions while she toiled away at the art board to try and come up with a design they liked.

Getting next only 1-2 hours of sleep every night for the five months and being woken up at all hours of the night to hear their latest 'idea'. She needed a break or she was going to crash, and hard.

"Fine, I'm calling Human Resources. Considering all the overtime I put in the last five months without so much as a break might sway them into giving me the time off with or without your approval!" Celine declared.

Morgan's eyes went wide at the threat. She took a few moments then grabbed the sheet of paper that had Celine's time request on it she signed it with a flourish.

"Fine, one week. I better see you back here and ready to work after that," huffed Morgan.

Celine told her boss that she would be back in the office bright and early on the day of her return.

She turned and ran from the office, not giving Morgan anytime to backtrack and take back her time off. She quickly booked her stay at Wolf's Hollow Resort, then went back to work.

She needed to find places for any projects she hadn't started amongst the other workers and finish up the current works before so that she had nothing to worry about for a whole week.

Clocking out of the office at 8 rather than her usual 12 a.m., she headed home. Tossing her keys onto the small table by her apartment's front door. She headed for her bedroom closet.

Grabbing two large suitcases and a duffel bag, she started to pack her clothing. Accessories and work things. Despite the fact that she wouldn't be really working she still took her laptop just in case inspiration decided to hit.

Next, she called her mother to tell her the good news.

"It's about time you took some time off for yourself dear!" her mother stated over the phone, "You barely have had any time to visit me since you started at that place."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that mom. I promise to visit next time I have a day off," Celine stated, as she snapped the suitcases closed and went to set them by the front door.

"So where are you headed off to?" her mother asked.

"A place called Wolf's Hollow. It's two hours away from Deloraine." declared Celine as she sat on her saggy sofa.

"That's going to be a long drive. Well, you be careful. Love you and have fun" her mother said.

"Love you too mom," Celine said before hanging up the phone. She jumped up from the couch and went to have a shower.

The next few days went by in a blur. Celine was on the road early on Saturday morning and with GPS as her guide she was on her way for a week stay at what looked to be a fabulous resort.

****

It was late by the time Celine pulled into the parking lot at Wolf's Hollow Resort. She put the car in park and took a deep breath as she stared through the expanse of her windshield.

Though it was dark, she could make out the large resorts vastness. The hotel itself was a large four story log house with wide windows that would let in plenty of natural sunlight on the main floor. The rooms each had a balcony and sliding doors so guests could stand or sit in the fresh air without having to leave their room. A lit tennis court was just beside the log hotel. Woods for miles surrounded the whole area and even a barn could be made out in the dim light.

"You can do this Celine," she whispered to herself, as she tried to calm the nervousness she felt, "One week of freedom. One whole week of no calls, texts, or emails demanding changes to a new design. One week to do things that you love to do. One week of peace and quiet."

Letting out her breath in a swoosh, she turned and grabbed her duffel bag from the back seat. Getting out of the car she marched into the foyer of the hotel, the smell of pine and cedar filled her nose with a pleasant odor.

She walked up to the front desk and smiled at the clerk.

"I have a reservation under Celine Mayor," she stated, all business, "I also need help with my luggage please."

The clerk typed with a speed that Celine admired, in a matter of a few minutes she was grabbing her keycard and following a bell boy to her car where they loaded up her two overly heavy suitcases.

She was staying in room 318 which had a small living area complete with a flat screen tv. The bedroom was behind a beautifully decorated room divider to provide some privacy from the living area.

It was small, but quaint. It had a balcony and a full service bathroom. She loved it. After tipping the bellboy and shutting the door to the room. She sat down on the nice sofa and looked over the pamphlet the desk clerk had handed her when she had checked in.

The resort offered many things, trails to go hiking. Tennis lessons, horseback riding trails and camping spots. Outdoor and indoor hot tubs and pools. Various Spa treatments and massages.

She quickly phoned some of the area in the hotel to book a well earned massage, and spa treatment. She even booked herself a mani - pedi at the nail salon.

Deciding that early tomorrow she would take a nice long leisurely jog on one of the trails in the surrounding woods. She happily set the pamphlet aside. Unpacking her phone and computer she checked to be sure that there was no way she would be disturbed by anyone.

The service bars on her phone were ziltch, which made her giddy. Plugging in her phone and computer first. She quickly set them on the coffee table. Then she unpacked her bathroom supplies and feminine products.

Running a bath while she unpacked her clothing and put them in the dresser provided by the hotel. She quickly grabbed one of the steamy romance novels she had been dying to read since buying it a year ago and sank into the depths of the deep tub filled with lavendar scented bubble bath.

She spent at least two hours relaxing in the tub with the novel. Finding it just as spicy as she thought it would be. It was two in morning before she finally forced herself to put down the book and get some sleep. Setting her alarm for early morning so she could go for her jog.

****

The morning air was clean and crisp as Celine stepped out of the hotel in a lightweight work out jacket and leggings. Her runners were old but comfortable and just what she needed for this early morning.

Breathing deep of the air, she smiled. Taking a few moments to admire the colors of the early morning. Golds, reds, and some pinks mixed to make a beautiful palette. She loved it.

Birds twittered in the trees, squirrels chattered and chided. Lively and alluring. Celine stepped down from the front porch of the hotel and walked. At the head of a trail called Wolf's Den, a trail recommended by the hotel staff for joggers, she did her stretches before setting off at a brisk pace into the woods. The trail was 3.5 km witha few harder trails branching off of it.

Her breath came in small white wisps in the cool air as she jogged along the marked path. Her mind just focusing on the pace of her gait so that she didn't misstep somewhere and twist an ankle.

As she went deeper, she came to a fork in the path. She didn't hesitate to take the right since she wasn't planning on returning back to the hotel for some time anyway. The path she took became a bit rougher. Forcing her to slow her pace to a fast walk.

There were tree roots poking out of the ground and divets in the soft ground which could easily turn an ankle if one wasn't careful.

At a fallen tree Celine took a break and pulled her backpack from around her shoulders. Grasping a bottle of water and taking a sip of the cool liquid. She grabbed a map that was provided by the front desk and looked it over. Taking a wild guess as to where she was on the trail.

Even though the trails were declared well marked, she didn't want to get lost and have the resort spend money on getting help to save her. She stood up and stretched ready to set off again.

She took two steps when a low threatening growl sounded from behind her. Her heart lurched in her chest as she slowly turned to see exactly what was behind her. She gasped when she spotted the dark coated wolf just a few feet away.

"Go on, get out of here. SHOO!" she shouted, waving wildly at the wolf. Trying to frighten the creature off.

The wolf just let out a loud snarl and launched itself at her. She put her arms up to prevent the wolf from getting her throat. She fell under the heavy weight of the wolf and screamed when it's teeth sank deep into her arm.

The wolf's snarls were loud as it tossed its head from side to side. Teeth sawing deeper into her arm. She tried to bat at the massive nose inches from her face with her free hand but the wolf would just snarl and grab at her other arm.

She fought against it, Blood spilling from the bite wounds. She let out another scream when the wolf's teeth ripped along her arm causing a long gash to form. For a moment her throat was exposed and the wolf released her. She realized the error and quickly stuck her arm back into that maw.

The wolf's claws raked at her jacket in quick succession causing the goose feathers inside to fly out. Those claws were getting closer to her expose belly. She quickly fought to free her arm from the wolf and turned over covering her neck with her arms and pressing firm into the ground to protect her back.

The wolf grabbed her legs teeth sinking deep to the bone in flesh. She screamed over and over as the wolf continued to attack her exposed body parts. Claws shredded her coat and met with skin.Teeth sank deep again and again into her arms, legs and sides.

Darkness was creeping in the corners of her eyes, her body in blinding pain as the wolf continuously attacked her. Darkness consumed her despite her struggle against it's welcoming hold. The snarls of the wolf echoed in her mind as she slipped into unconciousness.

*****

Kyle Moore and his friend Max Harper raced through the forest in their wolf forms. Tongues hanging from the side as they leaped and bounded over exposed tree roots, fallen logs and loose foliage.

It was rare times when Kyle, the alpha of Bridgestone Pack and CEO of Wolf's Hollow Resort could let his wolf loose to run through the woods his great grandfather had started many moons ago.

They were just coming up to one of the more popular hiking trails when both wolves stopped in their tracks. Sniffing the air to catch the scent. Wolf and blood. Kyle growled low in his throat.

Slowly they proceeded, nose to the ground to find the cause for the scent of blood. They peeked from the bushes to see a woman laying face down in the soft dirt. Blood and wounds from a wolf attack all over her body.

Kyle scented the air for the wolf, it wasn't there any longer. He let out a long howl. Alerting staff at the resort that he needed close and help. Quickly, he and Max shifted into their human forms to check on the woman.

"Jesus Christ, look at this," snarled Max, "She's in bad shape man!"

"I see that Max," replied Kyle grimly as he looked around them. Spotting a backpack torn to shreds he grabbed it and looked inside. There was water, food and a small first aide kit.

Grabbing the kit he and Max quickly did a rough patch up on the most serious of the wounds. Unfortunately they had to use what ever remained of the woman's shirt in order to get some of the others since the kit had only a limited supply.

A young boy burst through through the brush and came to a dead halt. He stared at the wounded woman with wide, round eyes.

"Is she- Is she dead?" the young man asked, clutching the bag of clothes tight to his chest. His face paling

"She's alive, quickly give us those clothes," stated Max, "Hurry back to the resort and call Wolf Glen Hospital to send an ambulance. 911 could take forever."

The young boy nodded and bolted off while Max and Kyle remained with the woman being careful not to move her too much.

It was about an hour before EMT's arrived to work on the woman. She was cold and shivering violently now despite being unconcious.

Kyle and Max explained what they knew to the emergency response team and the police that had arrived as well before following the group of officials back out onto resort grounds.

The woman was loaded up into the ambulance and it sped off sirens wailing towards Wolf's Glen. The nearest town with a hospital.

Kyle and Max made sure to inform the resort staff to lock down the trails with warnings of wolves in the area before going to the hospital to check on the woman.

"She's in the OR now being sewed up," The nurse informed the two men when they arrived and asked after her, "She was lucky you arrived when you did. A few more hours and she would have been beyond saving. Whatever wolf did this, did a number on her. Punctured an artery. She would have bled out."

Kyle and Max sank into the plastic chairs just outside the operating room. Waiting for any updates on the woman's condition. A nurse came out the moment everything was finished and allowed the two men into the room.

The woman still unconcious, lay quietly in the hospital bed. Eyes closed like she was sleeping. Her face pale and scratched up. Bandages covered her arms and disappeared under the hospital gown she wore.

"Who the hell would have attacked a helpless woman alone on the trail?" blurted Max as he stared at the woman, "Serioulsy Kyle it wasn't one of ours. We would have known immediately."

"I know Max. I don't know who it was. I wish I did though. I'd kill them." Declared Kyle, "They crossed onto our turf and injured an innocent."

Max ran a hand through his sandy hair, agitated. He looked to his alpha and boss with a tight look, "I say we gather the local packs and see who the hell attacked this woman on our turf. Declare they hand him over and kill him."

Kyle grit his teeth, although he wanted to agree with his Beta on the plan. It wasn't a good one. Wolf packs each had a certain scent, and could be damn loyal to a fault. Even to the point of protecting a rogue that kills.

"First, lets make sure she pulls through. Send out Fredrick and Marcus to track the scent of that wolf," Kyle stated, "If they find him still on our turf. They are free to kill him. If not they wait until we get there."

Max nodded and turned leaving Kyle alone in the room to make the call to the two best tracking wolves in the pack.

Kyle approached the bed where the woman lay. His heart heavy as he scanned the parts of her that were exposed to his eyes. She didn't deserve this kind of viciousness. This attack hadn't been just a random one. This one was a stalk and kill the prey.

Despite the pale features and bandages Kyle could tell the woman was beautiful. Her dark brown hair was well looked after though right now it was matted with dry blood and dirt.

He wondered what color her eyes were, brown? Blue? hazel?. He walked closer and gently took her cold fingers into his hand.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm going to find whoever did this and make them pay," he promised the unconcious woman.

"Damn right we will," Growled Max, startling Kyle, "She didn't deserve this. I want to personally deal the death blow."

Kyle slowly scanned the tense male. He knew exactly how Max felt. He wanted to do the same.

They would find whoever did this and kill him before he can hurt another. He hoped anyways.

The two men took up spots in the waiting room, each taking turns to check on the woman until she was moved to another room where they could freely sit and wait.

Fredrick and Marcus came to the hospital with their reports. They had followed the wolf's scent away from their territory and into their adjoining allies area.

"Call Dom, tell him that he may have a rogue wolf in his area," Kyle stated, "Hopefully, they can catch him before he tries to kill someone else."

The two men left and once again Kyle and Max were alone with the wounded woman. The two males talked quietly. They would leave only when a nurse came in to check on the woman's injuries.

It wasn't until midnight before the woman's eyes fluttered open to reveal a stunning set of hazel green eyes.

Kyle and Max buzzed for the doctor immediately at the same time asking her if she was in any pain or if she wanted anything at all.

They were shooed outside of the room the moment the doctor arrived and paced the hallway while he did a check up. A police officer arrived a few moments later and entered the room, no doubt to ask the woman what had happened to her out on the trail.

She was asleep again by the time Max and Kyle were able to return to the room. The pain meds working their way through her system, is what the doctor told them. So they settled in to wait and watch.